Some lawmakers say Hawaii lottery has a chance this year

Jan 29, 2016, 8:41 am (11 comments)

Hawaii

HONOLULU — It comes up nearly every legislative session, but could this be the year that Hawaii lawmakers legalize gambling with a lottery?

Both House and Senate lawmakers have introduced bills that would establish a state-run lottery, including keno.

Officials say attempts at some form of gaming have been around since 1887 — none of which have been successful, but some lawmakers believe the political climate and public perspective has shifted enough that the odds are in their favor.

"You have the Legislature convening to see how we can address education, pay raises for teachers and union workers and how to deal with homelessness and healthcare — all these issues collide together," said state Rep. John Mizuno (D - Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights). "It's a perfect storm. If any time, now's the chance to pass."

Legislators have raised concerns about whether the money would actually go where its intended — in this case, education, health care and social services.

"It's not a silver bullet and it is another way to raise income — but we could also raise income by raising the GET, which the Hawaii State Teachers Association has requested. Everything has it's pluses and minuses in the end," said state Rep. Karl Rhoads (D - Kalihi, Palama, Iwilei, Chinatown), who chairs the House Judiciary committee.

But both HSTA and the Department of Education have expressed no desire for a lottery.

The governor, himself, says he's been opposed.

"I do believe that it's not a real consistent way to raise revenues for core services, and I am concerned about what gambling would mean — legalized gambling — to our community in terms of the costs involved," said Gov. David Ige.

Lawmakers say there's another worry. If the state legalizes any form of gambling, federal law would allow Native American tribes to then buy property in Hawaii and build a casino.

"That means we could not tax it. We cannot take any monies from it. We cannot control the zoning on it. We cannot control the future use of that particular land. And they can have their casinos 100 percent tax-free," said state Sen. J. Kalani English (D - Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe), the Senate Majority Leader. 

Both the House and Senate measures have been referred to multiple committees, which means if they have any chance of surviving this legislative session — they'll need to be scheduled for hearings in the next three weeks. So far, no hearings have been scheduled.

Hawaii News Now

Comments

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Hopefully the bill will pass Thumbs Up

music*'s avatarmusic*

 I did not know about the conflict of interests between the Native American tribes and Hawaii. That is a large hurdle to overcome.

Sleepy

cbr$'s avatarcbr$
I hope Hawaii still get the gaming they want. The is the 2nd state, I have read about
doesn't want "Native American" in their gaming picture. It is high time for our law - 
makers accept the fact that Native Americans has just as much rights as you do. The
fact they will not have control over it is worrying them. Fund from gaming of "Native
American"go to their children education...etc. They get to see more of the funds for their issues.
MaximumMillions

I could see this as the reason why Larry Ellison bought that island.

Hawaii get's a lottery, the native people then lease Ellison's Island and he gets a revenue share plus rent. Lep

jacintasc

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Jan 29, 2016

 I did not know about the conflict of interests between the Native American tribes and Hawaii. That is a large hurdle to overcome.

Sleepy

I was also unaware of this. But I don't think there are Native American Casinos in every state were gambling is legal.

lejardin's avatarlejardin

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Jan 29, 2016

 I did not know about the conflict of interests between the Native American tribes and Hawaii. That is a large hurdle to overcome.

Sleepy

I agree Music and I too was unaware of the issue with the Native American tribes.  I assumed it would involve the Native Hawaiians not NA tribes.

Seems several people were unaware of that issue.

Lanai, what a great place to own.

ressuccess's avatarressuccess

If the bill pass, I hope they join both Powerball and Mega Millions.

LOTTOKING2016

It won't pass in the land of NATIVE AMERICA UNITED NATIVE AMERICA (UNA)

myturn's avatarmyturn

Hawaiians can play a state lottery, just not a Hawaiian state lottery. The Massachusetts lottery has a subscription service which is available across the United States. You don't have to reside in Massachusetts to participate, you can subscribe by phone from the comfort of your home.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by myturn on Jan 31, 2016

Hawaiians can play a state lottery, just not a Hawaiian state lottery. The Massachusetts lottery has a subscription service which is available across the United States. You don't have to reside in Massachusetts to participate, you can subscribe by phone from the comfort of your home.

Just came from P O Box; there was my subscription to Powerball from Massachusetts for one year=$180, best deal around.  Come on winner, it's my turn!

Bleudog101

Funny thing, a $13 LFL check was in the P. O. box from the Massachusetts lottery today.

End of comments
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